Fabricating table



Sept. 20, 1966 E. c. PETERSON 3,273,371

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M 1 l w? an; Wyn-wra 5421. C PETERSON a M wg% J Arm/avers United States Patent 3,273,371 FABRICATING TABLE Earl C. Peterson, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Permaduc, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Filed Dec. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 332,553 8 Claims. (Cl. 72-418) The present invention relates generally to a metal fabricating table, and more specifically to a metal fabricating table adapted to form U shaped members, assemblies, cages and the like wherein at least one of the individual leg elements of the U are elongated.

In the fabrication of certain concrete bodies, it frequently is desirable or necessary to employ steel reinforcement in the structure. Naturally, the configuration of the reinforcement must reasonably relate to the ultimate finished configuration of the product, and when the finished product has an unusual configuration or form, the reinforcing material must necessarily have the same unusual configuration or form. If the reinforcing material has the necessary and required strength and rigidity, it follows that preforming of the reinforcing material must be accomplished with mechanical aids having substantial strength. Normally, a steel reinforcing rod is utilized as the reinforcing material for concrete bodies. As the form or configuration of the reinforcing rod becomes complex or unusual, particularly when reasonably large structures are being contemplated, the mechanical aid which is utilized to form the reinforcing rod must be adaptable to permit ready removal of the rod therefrom. In the formation of steel reinforcing rods having a substantially U configuration wherein the legs of the U have substantial length, a combined work support table and bending jig is difficult to fabricate inasmuch as it is essential to have means provided for removing the U shaped body from the bending jig after the work has been completed. These rods may be used in the fabrication of a concrete enclosure for Transite or other conduits as indicated in my United States Patent Number 2,906,294. In the interest of conservation of time in the operation, it is obviously desirable to accomplish the removal with a minimum of set-up and takedown effort being required. The apparatus of the present invention provides a means for supporting reinforcing rods along the surface of a worktable and permits the rods to be bent in a substantially U configuration while being supported thereon, and further permits the ready removal of the finished product with a minimum of setup and take-down effort being required.

Briefly, the apparatus of the present invention provides a suitably supported worktable which is adapted to receive elongated steel reinforcing rod along the extent thereof. The table is provided with a pair of axially spaced steel rod bending devices which are arranged in working relationship with the table, and adapted to perform work on the individual rods and bend them to the U shape desired. The axial displacement between the bending assemblies is, of course, equal to the length of the crossbar of the U member. The table is provided with a pair of movable work support carriages which are adapted for reciprocatory to-and-fro movement along the extent of the table. In one of the positions, the carriage is arranged closely adjacent to the bending means and while in this position, the carriage provides support for the rods. Transverse support members are provided along the carriage to form a suitable support bed for the elements. When the bending operation is to commence, the support carriage is moved back or retracted to a second or idle position wherein it is free from contact with the individual reinforcing rods which constitute the work for the assembly being prepared. In order to accomplish the hold-down operation for the work while the bending effort is in progress, suitable angle brackets having a top or upper stop flange or cleat are provided inbetween the bending stations. The stop flanges or cleats are preferably disposed immediately adjacent to the bending station in order to minimize the stresses being applied to the reinforcing rod at locations remote from the locus of the bend. In order that elongated configurations may be prepared wherein a plurality of U shaped units are arranged in the form of a substantially open channel or the like, the apparatus of the present invention is designed to accommodate a plurality of rods and perform the bending operation simultaneously on all of them. In addition, means are provided for permitting other operations to take place on the bed of the table such as, for example, welding or the like in order that individual transverse or cross-rods may be utilized to join the individually spaced U shaped members, one to another.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved metal fabricating table which is adapted to form metal objects into U shaped members with elongated legs, the table requiring a minimum of set-up and take-down effort for accomplishing the bending operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved metal fabricating table which is adapted to form U shaped members from elongated concrete reinforcing rods, the table being adapted to receive the rods along a working table area and being further adapted to permit the elongated rods to be bent substantially in the form of an inverted U while being supported on the metal fabricating table.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved metal fabricating table which is adapted to receive a plurality of elongated reinforcing rods along the surface thereof, the table having means for holding the rods or work in predetermined relative disposition, one to another, and maintaining the work in this predetermined relative disposition during a subsequent bending operation.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the following specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings wherein:

FGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the metal fabricating table of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1, partially broken away, and portions being shown in section, the view being taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1, with a minor support frame portion being broken away;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a detail view of the support carriage portion of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is an end view of a group of concrete reinforcing rods which have been formed on the metal fabricating table of the present invention, the rods having a form of an inverted U; and

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of the concrete reinforcing rods shown in FIGURE 6.

In accordance with the preferred modification of the present invention, the metal fabricating table generally designated 10 includes horizontal support channels or T irons 11-11 which are supported on aplurality of legs 12l2. Each of the T irons 1111 have a pair of support racks 13 and 14, and 13A and 14A secured thereto, the racks being disposed on opposite sides of the reinforcing rod bending mechanisms generally designated 16 and 17. Each of the support beds 13 and 14, and 13A and 14A is provided with a wheeled retractable loading carriage such as the carriages 19 and 21), these carriages being adapted for reciprocal to-and-fro movement along the track formed by the bed support 13 and 14 and 13A and 14A respectively. Each of the carriages 19 and 21B is provided with four wheels for supporting the carriage within the track such as, for example, the wheels 22-22, these wheels being mounted for rotation about a suitable axle shaft. The wheels preferably are notched around the circumference so as to be receivable within a gap between the individual supports 13 and 13A and 14 and 14A respectively. In addition, in order to lock the carriage at the inner position while the work is being loaded or treated thereon, a notch area is provided as illustrated at 24 in FIGURE 4, suitable blocking means being utilized to pivotally adjust the horizontal disposition of the support tables 19 and while the forward wheels are being received within the confines of the notch 24. Each of the tables is then essentially locked in place and will not move until the blocking is removed. In order to suitably support the work along the movable carriage table, transverse support rods 2525 are provided for each of the movable carriages. Suitable cleats such as the cleats 2626 are provided in order to provide a means for retaining any transverse rod 27 which is being utilized in the overall structure. Since the carriage is tilted toward the outer or free end of the rods, the transverse rods which form a positive structure will tend to rest against the surface of the individual cleats 2626, while being supported thereon by longitudinally disposed rods 28-28. A second length of longitudinal rod such as the rods 29-29 are placed across the extent of the entire structure, these rods ultimately forming the elongated legs of the U shaped structure. After the individual rods have been placed upon the structure, they are secured together one to another, as required in the ultimate operation. In order that the securing of the individual rods, one to another, may be most expeditiously handled, they are either welded or brazed while held in place on the work supporting table. After the rods have been secured togehter, as desired, the individual loading carriages 19 and 20 are moved outwardly or retracted from the bending area. The retracted position is shown in FIGURE 4.

Attention is now directed to FIGURES 1 and 4 wherein the bending mechanism is illustrated in detail. The benders 16 and 17 each include a torque applying handle, these handles being designated 30 and 31 respectively. As indicated in FIGURE 3, a plurality of these handles may be utilized for each of the individual bending means, however, for convenience and simplicity only one has been designated specifically for each bending unit. Each bending unit includes a transverse bracket or support beam such as the beams 33-34, these beams being pivoted for rotation about the bushing elements generally designated 35 and 36 respectively, one bushing unit being utilized at each extremity of the beam. These bushings are conventional and allow pivotal rotation of the bending unit about the individual shafts or axes 37-37 and 3838. In order to accomplish the bending operation per se, a plurality of forming heads are provided along and adjacent to the beams 33 and 34, these forming heads being designated, for example, 4040. Inasmuch as each of these is identical, one to another, only a certain portion of them have been numbered for purposes of simplicity and clarity. Each of the forming heads is preferably rotatable about a central axis 41 in order to enhance the ease of rotation of the bending operation. A suitable back-up plate is provided adjacent to each of the forming heads 404i9, such as at 42. The circumference of the back-up plate 4 2 preferably has an outer radius which matches the inner radius of the bend desired for retaining the individual rods during the bending operation. A reaction lug 44 is arranged adjacent to the bending unit, the lug including a portion such as the portion 45 which is disposed in overlying relationship to the individual elongated rod 29. Thus, during the bending operation, the portion of the reinforcing rod which forms the bottom of the U is maintained horizontal relative to the remaining portions. A suitable supporting means such as the I-beam 46 is provided to retain the back-up plate, the reaction lug 44, and the bushing or bearing supporting the beams, such as the beams 33 and 34. The support beam 46 is preferably adjustably secured to the support 11 in order that an adjustment may be made for the width between the beams 33 and 34. In other words, the distance between the beams 33 and 34 may be varied in accordance with the width desired in the U shaped element being formed.

In operation, the table is initially prepared for receiving rods thereon. In this connection, the carriages 19 and 20 are placed in position along the supports 13 and 14 in the position as illustrated in FIGURE 1. At this time, the short rods 28-28 are placed in position on the carriage members, such as on the bed defined by the transverse rods 2525. The next members to be placed in position are the individual transverse rods 2727, where required or indicated. The next rods to be laid up are the elongated rods 2929 which extend across the entire extent of the structure, that is, they extend across the entire extent of the material to be ultimately transformed into the U shaped object. If it is desired to secure the rods together, one to another, they are then welded, brazed or otherwise secured together while the arrangement is intact. In order to properly dispose the transverse rods 2727 relative to the short rods 28 and long rods 29, the individual lugs 2626 may be utilized. The assembly is then ready for the bending operation. In order to accomplish this, the individual loading carriages 19 and 20 are moved or retracted out to the outer position such as is indicated in FIGURE 4. At this point, the bending means 16 and 17 are actuated, either simultaneously or in sequence, and the bends are formed as shown in completed form in FIGURE 4. The reaction lugs 44 44 are utilized, of course, to retain the rods in position and permit the bending to be accomplished at the desired point. After the bending operation is accomplished, the open jaw of the lugs 4444 permit the finished elongated U shaped structure, which is now a U shaped channel cage, to be moved transversely of the locking lugs 44 44- and the assembly is free to be lifted from the bending or forming table. In other words, the finished U channel or cage is moved in a direction which constitutes being moved out of the plane of the paper of FIGURE 4, in a direction toward the reader. This will free the individual elements from being confined between the bending means and the spaced hold-down lugs 44, and the complete assembly may be lifted upwardly free of the fabricating apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to pre-fabricate metallic reinforcing in the form of a complex figure without extensive set-up or take-down time.

It will be appreciated that the description herein relates to one embodiment of the invention, and those skilled in the art may be able to depart from these specific modifications without actually departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for fabricating at least one elongated metallic member in substantially U configuration, said apparatus comprising a work supporting table, hold-down means arranged on said table for releasably retaining the elongated metallic member within the support table and providing support reaction for the upright legs during fabricating operations, and bending means mounted on said table including a forming head and a back-up plate, the backup plate having a working surface, and the forming head being mounted for pivotal rotation about an axis spaced from said working surface, said work support table having a retractable loading carriage with a transverse support bed adapted for reciprocal to-and-fro movement between first and second positions along said table, the loading carriage being arranged to support said elongated legs along said support bed when in said first position, and being disposedfree of said work when in said second position.

2. The metal fabricating apparatus of claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said bending means are disposed in overlying relationship to the work.

3. The metal fabricating apparatus of claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said bending means includes a pivotally mounted bender, the pivot points of which are disposed transverse of and outside of the work area.

4. The metal fabricating apparatus as defined in claim 3 being particularly characterized in that said forming head is adapted to pivot about the circumference of the back-up plate.

5. The metal fabricating apparatus as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that a pair of bending means are provided in spaced relationship, one to another.

6. The metal fabricating apparatus as defined in claim 5 being particularly characterized in that reaction resisting cleats are provided between the bending means in axially closely spaced relationship to the working surface of the back-up plate.

7. Apparatus for fabricating an elongated substantially U shaped channel, said apparatus comprising a work supporting table, spaced hold-down means arranged on said table for releasably retaining the work within the support table and providing support reaction for the upright legs of said U shaped product during fabricating operations, and a plurality of bending means mounted on said table, each bending means including a forming head and a back-up plate, the back-up plate having a working surface, and the forming head being mounted for pivotal rotation about an axis spaced from said working surface, said work support table having a pair of retractable loading carriages each carriage having a transverse sup port bed, the carriages being adapted for reciprocal toand-fro movement between first and second positions along said table, each carriage being arranged to support said elongated legs along said support bed when in said first position, and being disposed free of said work when in the said second position.

8. The metal fabricating apparatus as defined in claim 7 being particularly characterized in that said loading carriages are provided with support wheels adapted to be run on said support table, locking means being provided on the table for releasably locking said loading carriages in said first position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 235,538 12/ 1880 Kilmer 72-217 235,781 12/1880 Kilmer 72-488 1,682,149 8/1928 Robertson 72-217 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

R. D. GREFE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING AT LEAST ONE ELONGATED METALLIC MEMBER IN SUSBTANTIALLY U CONFIGURATION, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING A WORK SUPPORTING TABLE, HOLD-DOWN MEANS ARRANGED ON SAID TABLE FOR RELEASABLY RETAINING THE ELONGATED METALLIC MEMBER WITHIN THE SUPPORT TABLE AND PROVIDING SUPPORT REACTION FOR THE UPRIGHT LEGS DURING FABRICATING OPERATIONS, AND BENDING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID TABLE INCLUDING A FORMING HEAD AND A BACK-UP PLATE, THE BACK-UP PLATE HAVING A WORKING SURFACE, AND THE FORMING HEAD BEING MOUNTED FOR PIVOTAL ROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS SPACED FROM SAID WORKING SURFACE, SAID WORK SUPPORT TABLE HAVING A RETRACTABLE LOADING CARRIAGE WITH A TRANSVERSE SUPPORT BED ADAPTED FOR RECIPROCAL TO-AND-FRO MOVE- 